Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Multi-functional design of a composite high-speed train body structure

  • INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION
  • Published:
Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A multi-level, multi-functional, optimisation methodology is suggested for the design of a composite high speed train car body. The structure consists of a layer of inner lining (glass fibre/vinyl ester), a layer of fibrous insulation, and a load carrying sandwich panel (carbon fibre/epoxy face sheets on a PMI core). Besides the most commonly used design constraints, such as mechanical strength, stiffness and geometry, also acoustic and thermal insulation as well as fire safety is included in the optimisation. The results suggest that well over 40 % mass reduction can be achieved with these types of structures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allard J, Atalla N (2009) Propagation of sound in porous media: modelling sound absorbing materials 2e. Wiley

  • Cameron CJ (2011) Design of multifunctional body panels for Doctoral thesis in lightweight structures. Department of Aeronautics, KTH, Stockholm, Sweden

  • Cavazzuti M, Baldini A, Bertocchi E, Costi D, Torricelli E, Moruzzi P (2010) High performance automotive chassis design: a topology optimization based approach. Struct Multidiscip Optim 44

  • CEN (2007) Railway applications - structural requirements of railway vehicle bodies - part 1: railway vehicles other than freight wagons. prEn 12663-1

  • chan Lee D, seok Choi H, soo Han C (2006) Design of automotive body structure using multicriteria optimization. Struct Multidiscip Optim 32

  • CTTM, Centre of technology transfer mans, 20 rue thales of miletus, 72000 Le Mans, France

  • Haller G (2006) Thermal comfort in rail vehicles. Technical report, RTA rail tec arsenal. Professional article

  • Harte A, McNamara J, Roddy I (2004) A multilevel approach to the optimisation of a composite light rail vehicle bodyshell. Compos Struct

  • Hendersson J, Wiebelt T, Tant M (1985) A model for the thermal response of polymer composite materials with experimental verification. J Compos Mater 19(6):579–595

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson CW, Carruthers JJ, Robinson AM (2010) Multiple objective optimisation of composite sandwich structures for rail vehicle floor panels. Compos Struct 92

  • Irisarri F-X, Bassir DH, Carrere N, Maire J-F (2009) Multiobjective stacking sequence optimization for laminated composite structures. Compos Sci Technol 69:983–990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim J, Kim N, Han S (2005) Optimal stiffness design of composite laminates for a train carbody by an expert system and enumeration method. Compos Struct 68

  • Klimach M (2009) Optimisation of apertures in vehicle carbodies. Master’s thesis, KTH Royal Institute of Technology

  • Peacock RD, Averill JD, Madrzykowski D, Stroup DW, Reneke PA, Bukowski RW (2004) Fire safety of passenger trains; phase III: evaluation of fire hazard analysis using full-scale passenger rail car tests. Technical report NISTIR 6563, National Institute of Standards and Technology

  • Rohacell (2011) Rohacell wf product information. Technical report

  • Sartori E (2006) Convection coefficient equations for forced air flow over flat surfaces. Sol Energy 80

  • Superwool 607, Morgan ThermalCeramics, Quadrant, 55-57 High Street, Windsor, Berkshire, England. http://www.morganthermalceramics.com/downloads/datasheets%3Ff%5B0%5D=language%3Aen The Math Works Inc., Natick, MA, USA

  • The Math Works Inc., Natick, MA, USA

  • TSI C (2008) 648, Commision decision concerning a technical specification for interoperability relating to the rolling stock sub-system of the trans-european high-speed rail system. Technical report, official journal of the European union

  • Wallin HP, Carlsson U, Åbom M, Bodén H, Glav R (2011) Ljud och vibrationer (eng. sound and vibrations). Marcus Wallenberg laboratory for sound and vibration

  • Wennberg D (2011) Light-weighting methodology in rail vehilce design through introduction of load carrying sandwich panels. Licentiate thesis, KTH Engineering Sciences

  • Wennberg D, Stichel S, Wennhage P (2012) Substitution of corrugated sheets in a railway vehicle’s body structure by a multiple-requirement based selection process. In: Proceedings of the institution of mechanical engineers, Part F: journal of rail and rapid transit

  • Wennberg D, Stichel S, Wennhage P (2012) Optimisation of sandwich panels for the load carrying structure of high-speed rail vehicles. Int J Aerosp Light Struct (IJALS) 2(1)

  • Wennberg D (2013) Finite difference adaptation of the decomposition of layered composite structures on irregular grid. J Compos Mater, 0021998313499196. Published online before print September 11, 2013. doi:10.1177/0021998313499196

  • Wennhage P (2001) Structural – acoustic optimization of sandwich panels. PhD thesis. Department of Aeronautics, KTH, Stockholm, Sweden

  • Zenkert D (1995) An introduction to sandwich construction. Engineering Materials Advisory Services Ltd., Solihull

    Google Scholar 

  • Zenkert D, Battley M (2005) Foundations of fibre composites. Stockholm, Sweden: Universitetsservice US AB

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work is part of the project: “A Light Weight Car body for High-Speed Trains”, a Ph.D. project within the Centre for ECO 2 Vehicle Design at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. The funding from KTH, Vinnova, Bombardier Transportation and Volvo AB is greatly acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Eco2 Vehicle Design, Department of Aeronautical and Vehicle Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 8, SE-100 44, Stockholm, Sweden

    David Wennberg & Sebastian Stichel

Authors
  1. David Wennberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sebastian Stichel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to David Wennberg.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wennberg, D., Stichel, S. Multi-functional design of a composite high-speed train body structure. Struct Multidisc Optim 50, 475–488 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-014-1056-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-014-1056-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation